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Church of England criticized over prayers for atheist Richard Dawkins

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I can understand the anguish felt by the orthodoxy as I lived in a State where Hindu heresy was the order of the day until one good samaritan who came & changed the politics in the State! Incidentally what is wrong in praying for the atheist ...May be it is to reform them..May be for generating good will...We all know that positive vibrations engendered by prayers possess healing properties (as shared by Shri Sravna too)

[h=1]Church of England criticized over prayers for atheist Richard Dawkins[/h]February 14, 2016 17:28

14dawkins.jpg



The Church of England has been accused of "trolling" scientist Richard Dawkins after it tweeted it was praying for the outspoken atheist's recovery from a stroke.



Dawkins, a distinguished evolutionary biologist at Oxford, is one of the world's leading voices for secularism, and a fierce critic of religion.


When news broke Friday that the 74-year-old had suffered a minor stroke, forcing him to cancel scheduled appearances in Australia and New Zealand, the Church of England retweeted a report of his condition with a statement offering "prayers for Prof. Dawkins and his family."


http://news.rediff.com/commentary/2...hard-dawkins/9aa2e385af10cb3d4013626733405c2e
 
The CNN story on this below:

London (CNN)The Church of England has been accused of "trolling" scientist Richard Dawkins after it tweeted it was praying for the outspoken atheist's recovery from a stroke.

Dawkins, a distinguished evolutionary biologist at Oxford, is one of the world's leading voices for secularism, and a fierce critic of religion.
When news broke Friday that the 74-year-old had suffered a minor stroke, forcing him to cancel scheduled appearances in Australia and New Zealand, the Church of England retweeted a report of his condition with a statement offering "prayers for Prof. Dawkins and his family."


The remark proved divisive on Twitter, with some describing it as insensitive given Dawkins' widely known disdain for religion.
Former British politician Nikki Sinclaire asked whether the church was being "sarcastic or ignorant," while Scottish politician Murdo Fraser commended the church for "top trolling."


But others thought the criticism of the tweet was unwarranted. One user responded to Sinclaire by arguing that praying for someone "causes them no harm or disrespect," and pointing out that the church was merely wishing Dawkins well.

[h=3]Misunderstanding of prayer'[/h]The Church of England's communications director issued a statement Saturday in response to the controversy, saying criticism "stemmed from a misunderstanding of what prayer is."
The statement, from Rev. Arun Arora, pointed out that Dawkins' views "are more nuanced that both supporters and detractors would usually acknowledge," citing a recent example where the scientist had criticized UK movie houses when they refused to screen a commercial featuring the Lord's Prayer.
"I hope he makes swift and full recovery and wish him the best of health. I will pray for him too. It is the very least I can do," Arora's statement concluded.
Dawkins released an audio statement the same day giving an update on his condition, saying he had been told he was "getting much better."
He had spent four days in hospital, but had since been discharged. He said he had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, which would affect his coordination, but not his "higher cerebral function, thank goodness."

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/14/europe/uk-dawkins-stroke-tweet/index.html
 
I discussed this matter with my Christian friends.

They say, 'Jesus is a Christian's role model. Jesus prayed for whomsoever approached Him for prayer indiscriminately. He never asked anyone, 'Are you a theist or an atheist'.
 
Pagaivanukku arulvai –nannenje,
Pagaivanukku arulvai.............................

...............................Subramanya Bharathi
 
Prayer(s) has (have) very little, if any, power to influence things which go according to pre-determined script. It is however true that prayer gives the so-called religious minded folks a sense of ego satisfaction, that's all. It is the same ego which criticises prayers for an atheist or of another religion.
 
Psychology plays its role in Religion in so many forms like astronomy, good/bad times, group singing, pilgrimage etc. One such element is Prayer. Normally, it applies only to believers. Now, it involves a non-believer. If it satisfies somebody, let it continue.
 
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